Your Ultimate Guide to Crushing Your First (or Fifth) Trip to America

Planning a trip to the United States? Want to make sure that you sample everything this huge, bustling, and brilliant country has to offer, whether it’s pancakes the size of your head or National Parks filled with exotic flora and fauna? Here’s your guide to doing America right, crushing it completely, and having the vacation of a lifetime!

Pick a Vibe, Then the Destinations

Trying to see all of America in one trip? That’s… adorable. America is os big that you can literally drive for 15 hours and still be in the same state, so although it’s totally possible to see it all if you have a few months free for your trip, if you’re just heading there for a week or two, you need to pick your vibe and focus on experiencing that aspect of the place.

Food lover? Hit New Orleans, Austin, and Portland.

Nature nut? Think Utah’s national parks, the Rockies, and the Great Smoky Mountains.

City hipster? Try New York, Chicago, Seattle, and maybe Brooklyn will let you in.

Take your time and actually enjoy the place, because rushing to tick everything off and see every state will mean you don’t really experience anything authentically. 

Master American Transportation (AKA The Land of the Car)

Public transit exists… in some places. If you’re in New York, Chicago, or D.C., you’ll be golden with trains and rideshares. For everywhere else? Rent a car. Even better if it has cup holders the size of flower pots (seriously, what are we putting in there?). 

Road tripping is basically sacred in the U.S… and everyone from the locals to visitors traveling through do it if they can, which means there are tons of great roads, attractions, and diners serving up giant stacks of pancakes at every turn. Enjoy!

Eat Like You Mean It

Speaking of which…, forget counting carbs. America is where diets come to live dangerously. You’re going to want to:

• Eat breakfast foods bigger than your head
• Try regional classics like Philly cheesesteaks, Texas BBQ, Chicago deep-dish, and California tacos
• Discover that mac & cheese is considered a side dish and honestly, who are we to argue?

Also, tip your servers. They don’t just hope for tips, they need them. Standard is 15–20%. It’s a thing. Just do it.

Dive Into the Culture (It’s Not All Hollywood and Bald Eagles)

Museums, live music, sports games, national parks – America is bursting with culture and activities. Go to a jazz club in New Orleans, see a play in NYC, watch baseball even if you don’t get the rules (spoiler: no one fully does), and chat with strangers. Americans love a friendly conversation. Sometimes… too much.

Treat Yourself on the Accommodation Front

Sure, roadside motels and quirky Airbnbs are part of the charm. But sprinkle in some luxury. If your travels take you to Maryland, check into a hotel in Baltimore city for weekend stays, try out a Manhattan rooftop apartment, or look at Airbnbs where you can live as a local for a while. Relax, enjoy.

Stay curious, have fun, see the spirit of America!